10-09-24 MINChanhassen Environmental Commission (EC)
6:00 pm
October 9, 2024
Members Present: Scott Grefe, Kaisa Buckholz, Leslie Elhadi, Billy Cripe, Paget Pengelly,
Sidney Lindmark
Members Absent: John Stutzman, Wren Roemer
Staff Present: Jamie Marsh, Environmental Resource Specialist; Jenny Potter, City Clerk
Visitors: None
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:03 p.m.
Oath of Office
Youth Commissioner Roemer wasn’t in attendance so the oath will be administered at a future
meeting.
Minutes
Commissioner Grefe moved to approve the meeting minutes dated July 10, 2024 with clarifying
amendments; Commissioner Elhadi seconded. The minutes were approved with a 6-0 vote.
Discussion Items
1. Environmental Academy Update
The first Environmental Academy course was held at Chanhassen City Hall where City Manager
Laurie Hokkanen presented about the Civic Campus project highlighting environmentally related
initiatives. Initiatives she covered included the stormwater reuse system, a grant acquired by the
city to install solar panels on the new building, a pollinator-friendly landscaping plan, and
energy-efficient systems.
The Reuse Night was held on September 12; about a dozen people participated, and the overall
message was that waste reduction is the most effective method. The group also went to the
Lending Library in Chaska where they were taught how the whole operation works.
The event at SMSC Organics Recycling Facility was rescheduled from August 29 to September
30. Approximately 20 people attended. SMSC takes in organic waste and yard waste and
processes it. They do sell mulch and compost.
There are three remaining Academy events this month.
2. Environmental Trivia Updates
Commissioner Grefe and Commissioner Pengelly will be checking teams in. Commissioner
Cripe will run the laptop, and Commissioner Stutzman will operate the timer up front.
Commissioner Pengelly and Commissioner Lindmark will be collecting answer sheets after each
round. Commissioner Elhadi and Commissioner Buckholz will be keeping score after each
round. Dave Ryan will once again emcee for trivia night.
Topics include aquatic invasive species, terrestrial invasive species, climate change, Chan-
Happening, and Environmental Academy. One tie-breaker question will be ready as well.
Questions were written by the commissioners.
The commission discussed prizes and the possibility of introducing bamboo kitchen tools or
local gift cards as a new option.
3. Outreach Opportunities
Ms. Marsh is looking to improve outreach for educational opportunities. The spring Chanhassen
Connection article is due soon and she would like to introduce new information. Commissioner
Lindmark recommended discussing new invasive species, such as phragmites. Commissioner
Pengelly mentioned partnering with Camp Fire Minnesota for an interpretive nature walk.
Additional ideas included visiting a local farm, highlighting new practices in farming, and taking
part in the farmers’ market. The commissioners also discussed the idea of making short video
content. Ms. Marsh advised that they will likely need to hone in on some ideas to maintain a
reasonable workload. Meeting with Camp Fire is a next step as there is an established space and
a naturalist.
4. Commission Report
Ms. Marsh shared a previous Environmental Commission report that will be referenced as a
guide for the 2024 Environmental Commission Report is created for a year-end review.
Commission Presentations
Upcoming Items and Events
There will be a pumpkin drop-off at public works from November 1 to November 15. The
pumpkins will then be brought to a farm for animals to eat. This is the first year for the pumpkin
drop-off program.
The Boy Scouts will be doing their annual tree pick-up after the Christmas season.
Adjournment
Commissioner Lindmark moved to adjourn the meeting, Commissioner Pengelly seconded.
Chair Grefe adjourned at 7:33 p.m. with a vote of 6-0.
Minutes prepared by Amy Weidman, Senior Administrative Support Specialist
Minutes Submitted by Jamie Marsh, Environmental Resource Specialist